The Water Framework Directive is the main driver of improvements to water quality within Europe and consists of 6 yearly cycles of planning and delivery, in England these plans are the responsibility of the Environment Agency.

To help you do this the Environment Agency is holding a series of workshops over the next few months. The first workshop will look at the Old Bedford and Middle Level Management Catchment on 11 December 2014, 9.30 – 1.00pm at the Environment Agency’s Denver Complex (Sluice Road, Denver, Downham Market, PE38 0EG) and you are cordially invited to come along.

On the way home from my weekend in Norfolk (Did I mention I’d been to Norfolk??), I decided to pop into the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust reserve at Welney, situated on the Ouse Washes. The Washes are the largest area of frequently flooded grazing marsh in Britain and are internationally important for wildfowl.

The purpose of my visit was two-fold: to provide me with a mid-morning tea stop and toilet break and, hopefully, enable me to tick off two new bird species for my 2014 bird list –Whooper and Bewick’s Swans. Tea, toilet and swans… Is that three-fold? Never mind.

The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a conservation charity, founded in 1946 by Sir Peter Scott – a celebrated ornithologist, artist, one-time Olympic medallist and only child of Antarctic explorer Robert Scott. He also designed the original panda logo for the World Wildlife Fund. Quite a talented…

We had a fantastic day last week in the Corn Exchange in St Ives. This excellent venue was the scene for the first annual conference for the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership scheme. With a range of speakers, 112 attendees – representing over 64 organisations – and 20 exhibitors on the day we were off to a good start.

This conference, ‘Conservation, Farming, Flooding: our Natural Landscape?’ – the first in a series of three taking place annually – explored the natural landscape of the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership area. The conference aimed to provide attendees with an overview of future management challenges including issues around biodiversity value, wetland habitat creation, farming challenges, water management and flood relief.

Full house in the St Ives Corn Exchange. Image: NorthLight Media, for OWLP

A range of speakers from several key organisations (Natural England; RSPB; National Farmers’ Union; Environment Agency; and a consultant botanist who has carried out work for the OWLP scheme) provided for a rounded view of the central theme of the day.

This was followed by lively discussions focusing on the question which priorities Ouse Washes Partnership need to set for this important landscape to ensure a sustainable future for this landscape. By bringing together local people and a range of partner organisations with a range of land-use interests we have encouraged stimulating debate and helped promote a wider appreciation and understanding of the challenges of living and working in this ever-changing landscape.

Impression of conference. Image: Cambridgeshire ACRE

We have had a lot of good feedback, with the vast majority of people I have spoken to or received feedback from finding the day very enjoyable, highly informative, great for networking opportunities and with lots of food for thought as a result of stimulating round table discussions. In addition, there were 20 informative exhibitions from a range of organisations involved or associated with the partnership, great food, and an excellent walk to the nearby Holt island Nature Reserve at the end of the day.

Below are some images of the conference. If anyone, whether you attended or not, has any further questions, do drop me a line. Later down the line there will also be a report summarising the discussions on the day, and a short film will also be produced by NorthLight Media who took photographs and videos throughout the day – watch this space for further updates.

The results of the conference will feed into the ongoing legacy planning work of the Ouse Washes Landscape Partnership, with the recommendations and ideas generated helping the partnership’s work tremendously. Thank you all for your input!

On behalf of the Littleport Field Theatre Group I am passing on the below information about this exciting Littleport Fourteenevent held this weekend:

You are invited to join us at Littleport Village Hall, 15 & 16 November, 10-4 pm for a fascinating range of displays of artefacts, photos, memorabilia and other items from the Great War. There will be talks and exhibitions, live music from Littleport Lyrics, and a costumed WW1 canteen courtesy of Littleport Women’s Institute.

There will be an exhibition of work by pupils of Littleport Community Primary School, and a display by the Field Theatre Group, about their recent production: Field of War.

The poetry anthology Perspectives, featuring new writing on the theme of the Great War will also be available to buy. All proceeds from the anthology will be divided between the Royal British Legion, Littleport Branch, and Help for Heroes.

Entry to the exhibition is free. Refreshments and disabled facilities are available. We do hope you will join our community for this centenary exhibition.

Littleport Festival Fourteen is funded by the heritage Lottery Fund and Littleport Parish Council. The Perspective anthology and prize is funded by East Cambs District Council.